"Since this idea came from you, you shall be the one to carry it out."
Hua Zhi's mind went blank. Was this... sparing her life?
"If you fail, not only you, but the entire Hua family will be exiled to the borderlands, never to return."
Her legs felt weak, even trembling. When she had resolved herself to die, she feared nothing and dared to say anything. But now that she knew the life-and-death crisis had passed, without that courage sustaining her, belated fear washed over her.
Still unwilling to lose composure, she slowly relaxed her stiff posture and knelt back on her heels. In that brief moment, she sorted through her current predicament.
The Emperor likely never intended to take her life from the start. So what was his purpose? Frighten her first, then assign her an impossible task? If that were all, there would have been no need for that remark about entering the palace as a consort that had so unnerved her. Could it be... this was a test? What outcome did the Emperor want? Was this current result what he desired?
Setting these thoughts aside, a canal couldn't be built just because one said so.
"Historical records show that constructing the Wei River consumed immeasurable silver, conscripted over five million laborers with countless casualties, and took twelve years to reach its current scale. Although the canal Your Majesty wishes to build isn't as large as the Wei River, it's certainly no small waterway. May I ask how much manpower, resources, and silver are currently available for this project?"
"None," the Emperor replied bluntly. "If I had everything, I'd have the Ministry of Works handle it. Why would I need you?"
"Then please find someone else, Your Majesty. This common woman lacks such capability. There's no need to threaten me with my family - what cannot be done cannot be done, regardless of how many people are killed."
"I've heard your business earns mountains of gold daily."
"Even if I offered my entire fortune, it would fall far short. Moreover, it's not just about silver. The main issue is insufficient manpower - most regions have already fulfilled their Statute Labor obligations this year."
"When needed, commoners can be made to serve additional Statute Labor. Such things have happened before."
Hua Zhi knew not only had it happened before, but frequently. Yet such practices never benefited national strength and only made commoners' lives harder. Born into the wealthy Hua family, she had lived in luxury, enjoying privileges above ordinary people. Even after the Hua family's downfall, her life remained incomparable to commoners'. She had never witnessed their hardships firsthand, but having grown up reading historical texts, she knew well enough.
"Is it worth inciting popular resentment over an unnecessary canal, Your Majesty?"
To the Emperor, commoners were no different from ants, and he made no attempt to hide it in the imperial study. "If it secures my legacy for eternity, then yes. Just like the Wei River - despite the enormous cost and everyone calling its builder a tyrant, history still records that the Wei River was constructed under his reign. However many his faults, this achievement must be acknowledged."
"Even if it means being called a foolish ruler?"
The Emperor's expression twisted. Given a choice, who would want to be remembered as a foolish ruler!
"I have another question, Your Majesty. What if remnants of the Chao Li Tribe attack during canal construction? With all laborers conscripted for digging, where will the Ministry of War find new recruits? Even if they conscript soldiers from the canal sites..." Hua Zhi laughed coldly, "Are we sending emaciated new recruits to their deaths?"
The Emperor's expression turned icy. "Hua Zhi, don't think I won't kill you."Hua Zhi wasn't foolish enough to court death when she knew she could survive, so she lowered her gaze and closed her mouth, reverting to the obedient and proper demeanor she had maintained upon first entering the imperial study.
Seeing her like this, the Emperor's simmering anger gradually subsided. If not for valuing her intellect, he would not have spared her after learning of all that Yan Xi had done for her!
"I intend to open this canal. Your task is to accomplish this for me. Any other words are meaningless in my presence. Reflect carefully before responding to me. Remember, you have only one day. An Yi, escort her out of the palace."
An Yi bowed and retreated to Hua Zhi's side, waiting for her to rise.
Hua Zhi's legs had gone completely numb, devoid of any sensation. She pushed herself up from the ground, struggling to stand upright as she willed her feet to move forward. However, her legs, tingling as if swarmed by millions of ants, lifted too low when crossing the threshold. Unable to steady herself in time, she tumbled out face-first, groaning softly from the pain.
Gu Yanxi had been listening intently to the commotion outside. Now certain that the threat hanging over A Zhi had passed, he could no longer restrain himself upon hearing such a disturbance. He flung the door open and rushed out, gathering the disheveled A Zhi into his arms, holding her so tightly it seemed he wished to merge her into his very being.
Hua Zhi froze for a moment before embracing him with equal force. She had narrowly escaped death's door, and Yan Xi had endured no less. Peering over Yanxi's shoulder, she spotted Shaoyao holding a medicine chest and smiling, extending a hand toward her.
The unusually composed Shaoyao immediately reddened, throwing herself at the two and weeping uncontrollably, repeatedly crying out, "Hua Hua... Hua Hua..."
Hua Zhi felt utterly exhausted, her vision darkening. She discreetly closed her eyes to endure the spell, then mustered all her strength to bite down hard on her tongue. A sharp pain surged, the metallic taste of blood instantly filling her mouth, but it did revive her somewhat.
An Yi reminded from the side, "It is getting late. The young lady should depart the palace."
Hua Zhi glanced at the horizon—it was already dusk.
Gu Yanxi lifted Hua Zhi and prepared to leave when Lai Fu hurried out from the imperial study. "The Emperor requests your presence."
Gu Yanxi paused briefly. "I will see A Zhi out first."
"The Emperor instructed this old servant to remind you that your identity must not be exposed." Lai Fu glanced back; the imperial study appeared especially dim in the sunlight, and even squinting, he couldn't discern the Emperor's expression, only guessing it couldn't be favorable.
"Wait for me." Gu Yanxi carefully set her down and went to a side chamber, emerging moments later as a different person.
Hua Zhi had only seen this face once before, when Yanxi revealed his identity—Wu Liang, a fourth-rank imperial guard with a blade.
Scooping her up once more, Gu Yanxi strode swiftly outward. Shaoyao, carrying her medicine chest with a clatter, chased after them, completely forgetting that she ordinarily was not permitted to leave the palace.
Compared to the rigorous inspections upon entering the palace, exiting was remarkably smooth and unobstructed.
Outside the palace gates, an unidentified carriage awaited. Gu Yanxi, holding Hua Zhi, displayed his agility unimpeded, disregarding the coachman seated on the carriage as he stepped directly up and into the compartment.
The coachman, not daring to offend someone emerging from the palace, cautiously inquired, "You are..."
Shaoyao, close behind, snatched the whip from his hand and kicked him off the horse. "The Seven Constellation Bureau is commandeering this."
At the mention of the Seven Constellation Bureau, the coachman immediately fell silent.Shaoyao cracked the horsewhip to set the carriage in motion while rapping on the carriage compartment from outside, urging, "Yan Ge, come out quickly and take over the reins. I'm going to check on Hua Hua."
Gu Yanxi ignored her, carefully laying the person down to rest. Gazing at the purplish bruise on her forehead still oozing traces of blood, he wanted to speak but found himself unable to utter a single word.
He felt the profound protection this emotionally reserved woman had shown him—her outburst of emotion burned like fire, potent enough to melt him even through a closed door. He thought to himself, he would willingly offer his own flesh and blood to nurture her.
This person—was his.
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